ForgottenWoman

When we are Weary

“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God: which is your reasonable service.”

How is your heart today?   Have you ever noticed like me that there are times in our Christian lives that we feel like we are walking through the days assured of our purposes and knowing that we are obeying the urgings of the Holy Spirit In our lives then there are days that seem to come out of nowhere:   when our hearts and minds are flooded with doubts,  we begin to question decisions we’ve made.  stands we have taken and projects we’ve devoted our lives to? 

As I share so much of my personal life with you I must admit that recently I’ve had some of those days.   This morning during intense prayer time with my Father I even questioned the time and effort put into The Forgotten Woman Blogsite.   Why are you doing this?   Will anyone even read it?  Who do you think you are writing about grief, prayer, defining moments of life, abortion, forgiveness , and more; and asking people to read it?   The answer was simple.  I’m just a woman trying desperately to serve my God, family and others. The single most important key to this life is my relationship with my Heavenly Father; which is strengthened and maintained through a lifestyle of prayer and serving.  My multitude of failures in life are the result of fighting my own battles, pushing my own agendas, and depending on my own wisdom.   During the past several years, He’s been teaching me to empty myself daily,  to present my life and the life of each family member to Him;   allowing Him to direct each step of each day.  The Forgotten Woman Blog is simply sharing with you as I learn;   encouraging you in your journey.  

So on these days when the enemy seems to be attacking from every angle, when your own flesh is weak and struggling, when it seems your good is evil spoken of, when it seems that your vision is clouded by the naysayers in your life;   when those from whom you need the most encouragement and support are keeping you at arm’s length, seemingly waiting for you to realize that your vision is too big for you to accomplish; when it seems you may crumble under the load of the weight that you carry:   what then?

We do the same thing that we do on the days that we feel like we are soaring.   We get on our faces before our God and we cry out to Him for wisdom, direction,  strength to continue on, and the reassurance from Him to stand alone if need be.   During my intense time this morning, the Lord directed my thoughts during my reading in the book of Job. The chapter and verses that I was reading reminded me that while Job was living his life on this earth,  he experienced some incredibly difficult moments alone.   Those closest to him not only were either removed from his life or began to throw insulting accusations at him.  They discouraged him, accused him, and blamed him.   I can only imagine the turmoil in his heart as he sat alone.  What a battle must have been raging within him.   As we read the story in the book of Job today we are looking back and we know what was going on.   We read about the discussion between God and Satan himself.   We know that God allowed the horrific circumstances of his life.  We know that while Job was not a perfect man;  God knew he would stand firm in his faith.  We know looking back on history that God allowed the naysayers to speak their peace and God allowed Job to suffer incredible loss and pain.   Somehow, Job remained faithful:   just as God had told Satan he would. 

Then look at the end of the book of Job.  We see Job being weary, beginning to doubt and question.  What is God’s answer?   Basically,  “I am God.  You are not!”   What did I take away from this today?  Well, I’m encouraged by Job’s faith.   I’m also encouraged to know that he, like I – grew weary and had his moments of struggling.  I’m most encouraged that God didn’t set him on a shelf at that point and deem him as no good for His service.  He corrected his thinking and then he restored to Job what he had lost and much more!  

Oh, how I long to be as trustworthy to my Heavenly Father!  How I wish that He could say to the enemy,  “Consider my servant,  Joy.   She will persevere.   She will serve Me no matter what!”   This is my prayer and my challenge.   Let’s keep our hearts bent in prayer to our Father.   Let us follow His leading and direction in our lives.   Let us serve Him faithfully in the areas He has burdened our hearts for and let us remain faithful to walk with our hands in His even if it seems we are on the path alone.